The GH4C1 cell line provides a system for studying the molecular mechanisms of receptor modulation and signal transduction in pituitary - derived cells.

These cells may be used for electrophysiological studies on plasma membrane calcium channels and also for studies of intracellular calcium homeostasis in secretory cells.

Cloned cDNA from GH4C1 cells has been used to investigate the structure and regulation of the rat TRH receptor.

Storage Conditions

liquid nitrogen vapor phase

Karyotype

modal number = 65; range = 60 to 68. This is a hypertriploid rat cell line with the modal number of 65, occurring in 32% of cells. However, cells with 67 chromosomes also occurred at a high rate (22%). Cells with a higher ploidy count occurred at 0.6%. There were 25 to 30 marker chromosomes per cell including paired T(1;2-), single 4p+, chromosome 2 with the deleted q16-q24 (?), 11p+ and about 15 other constitutive markers. Only a single copy of the X chromosome was identified. Other characteristics included consistent single copies for chromosomes 1 and 3, double copies for chromosomes 5 and 8, and more than four copies for chromosome 7.

Derivation

The GH4C1 cell line was developed in 1972 by A.H. Tashjian, Jr. from serially propagated GH3 (ATCC CCL-82.1) cells that suddenly produced little or no detectable levels of growth hormone.

Clinical Data

female

7 months

Genes Expressed

prolactin; growth hormone (somatotrophin)

Cellular Products

prolactin; growth hormone (somatotrophin)

Comments

Note: Cytogenetic information is based on initial seed stock at ATCC. Cytogenetic instability has been reported in the literature for some cell lines.

GH4C1 cells differ from GH3 cells in that basal levels of growth hormone production are low (0.06 µg or less hormone/mg cell protein/24 hours).

Prolactin is also produced at a rate of 0.006 to 0.012 µg hormone/mg cell protein/24 hours.

Customers located in the state of Hawaii will need to contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to determine if an Import Permit is required. A copy of the permit or documentation that a permit is not required must be sent to ATCC in advance of shipment.